Tour the sustainable dream house that won the 2013 Solar Decathlon

The gorgeous home is capable of generating more energy than it uses

Published October 14, 2013 4:31PM (EDT)

   (Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)
(Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

College students from around the world designed and built incredible, sustainable homes that people would actually want to live in for the Department of Energy's 2013 Solar Decathlon. And after 10 days of intense competition in Irvine, Calif., the home built by students at the Vienna University of Technology has been declared the first-place winner.

The house, named LISI (Living Inspired by Sustainable Innovation), is tricked out with a rooftop solar photovoltaic system capable of generating more power than it requires over the course of a year; two high-efficiency, air-water pumps for space heating and cooling; and a heat-recovering shower tray, among other high-tech innovations -- all of which are controlled and monitored from a tablet app. Built from eco-friendly timber, it also features automated screens and awnings and a patio herb garden watered by a rainwater reservoir.

Check out some of the other competitors, then see what made LISI house stand out:

[slide_show id ="13505623"]


By Lindsay Abrams

MORE FROM Lindsay Abrams


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Department Of Energy Green Design Solar Energy Sustainable Architecture